Humble Beginner Seeks Advice

[patusai]

I agree with Jiffy, bushido_man96 and others...private lessons may be available. If not senior students may also be able to help. Attending an additional class may also help. Talking to the instructor is also a good idea. Ask the instructor for suggestions to improve. Most of my instructors took extra time with those students who needed additional help. If the instructor only wants students who catch on quickly then perhaps changing schools would be a good idea. I would be dissappointed to find an instructor who only wants easily taught students. Talking to the instructor soon after the incident, although it may be tough, would be a good idea--I would think-- because it would show that you are taking an interest in improving.

Whatever you decide to do...the best of luck to you

[jaymac]

A good instructor should never embarrass a student in front of an entire class, but this shouldn't give you the thoughts to turn and run. Talk to your instructor and let him know that you need help. You are paying for his services. I don't know how old you are, but have you ever thought of being tested for ADD. I found out as an adult that I have adult attention deficit. Instead of using it as an excuse, I worked harder, took great notes, attended private lessons, and oh yes, I let my instructor know. I refuse to take medication for this as I feel it is not bad enough that I can't manage it on my own. So far, Martial Arts in itself has helped my focus in the dojo and out of the dojo. This experience is challenging you, so do not buckle under it. Challenge yourself to get better. If your instructor continues to belittle you instead of encourage and support, then leave.

[Steve_K]

As has been stated before, if your instructor doesn't understand your issues and makes you feel embarrassed then you should leave, and find a more compassionate instructor.

As for your difficulty remembering forms and doing drills, know that the forms and drills (at least should) make sense, and aren't just choreography.

For example.

Say your form has you turn left, block, step punch, turn right block step punch, turn left block, step, punch, punch, punch.

Just reading that is confusing, but if you know what the form is addressing then it will make sense and help you remember.

For example.

There's a guy to your left and he throws a punch at you. What do you do? You turn and block it. Now he's open so what do you do? You step in and hit him.

Now there's a guy behind you throwing a punch. What do you do? You turn and block that, and now that he's open, you hit him.

Lastly, there's a guy to your left throwing a punch, so you turn and block that, and since he's maybe a little tougher, you have to hit him three times.

It is very important to visualize when you train. So envision people attacking you at these angles.

Learning the martial arts isn't like memorizing a speech, it's like learning math. Math is orderly and logical and if all you can do is learn the very basics of it, then you will still make progress.

Just remember that it makes sense, so make it, make sense to you.

I hope this helps.

Good luck.

[bushido_man96]

Very nice analogy, Steve_K.